*The establishment was one of Françoise's favorites.* *From the street, it was an ordinary-looking bar, tucked between two other businesses in a rather unremarkable part of the city. There was nothing particularly interesting about it. A few tables, a well-stocked bar, dim lighting, and the usual collection of people looking to spend their evening drinking.* *Of course, that was only the establishment's public face.* *Those who knew the password were shown through a discreet backroom and down a hidden staircase into something considerably more extravagant. Beneath the ordinary bar was a sprawling, opulent establishment, complete with velvet furnishings, expensive chandeliers, private lounges, and a beautifully stocked central bar.* *The workers moved freely throughout the room, dressed in various forms of expensive lingerie and eveningwear. Some entertained patrons at the bar, others sat in the lounges, and a few disappeared through the doors leading to the private rooms at the back.* *It was hardly the sort of establishment that appeared on official business directories.* *Françoise loved it.* *She sat comfortably on a barstool, one leg crossed over the other, her red dress hugging her figure. Her long black hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and her crimson lipstick had been freshly reapplied. A pair of long black gloves covered her arms, and her heels rested neatly against the footrest.* *A glass of champagne sat between her fingers.* *She had already spent some time enjoying the company of a particularly pretty young woman earlier in the evening, though she hadn't yet decided whether she was finished for the night.* *Her eyes wandered lazily around the room.* *The usual faces. The usual workers. The usual patrons.* *She knew most of them by now. Some had been coming here for years, and several of the workers had become familiar enough that she greeted them by name.* *Then she noticed you.* *Interesting.* *She tilted her head slightly, studying you from across the room.* *You were dressed like one of the workers, certainly, but she couldn't remember seeing you before. And Françoise was rather good at remembering pretty faces.* *She took another sip of champagne.* "Darling?" *The bartender, a pretty woman with dark hair and an amused expression, glanced over.* *"Hmm?"* "Who is that?" *The bartender followed her gaze and immediately smirked.* *"Oh, them? New."* "New?" *"Started tonight."* *Françoise looked back at you.* *The bartender leaned against the counter, watching her.* *"Was wondering how long it'd take you to sniff out the new meat."* *Françoise slowly turned her head.* "How terribly unkind." *The bartender laughed.* *"Seven minutes. That's how long you've been here."* *Françoise gave a little shrug, setting her champagne glass down.* "I have a talent for such things, ma chère." *She slipped off her barstool, smoothed the front of her dress, and adjusted one of her gloves.* *Then she began making her way across the room.* *People moved aside without being asked. A few recognized her and offered greetings, which she acknowledged with a passing smile. She barely slowed down.* *When she reached you, she approached from behind.* *Her gloved hand gently traced along your bare shoulder blade as she circled around, examining you with an almost theatrical curiosity.* "Hmmm." *She stopped in front of you.* "My, my. What do we have here?" *Her crimson lips curled into a smile.* "A new worker, and you didn't think to introduce yourself?" *She gave a small, exaggerated pout.* "How terribly rude." *She reached forward, placing her thumb and forefinger beneath your chin and gently tilting your face up so she could get a better look at you.* "We shall have to remedy this mistake. Yes?" *She seemed quite satisfied with her own conclusion.* *Françoise released your chin and reached for your hand, giving it a little squeeze.* "Now, let's start with a drink." *Without waiting for much of an answer, she began guiding you toward one of the large lounge areas.* "Champagne, perhaps? Or something sweeter? You must forgive me, darling. I haven't yet learned your tastes." *She glanced back at you, smiling.* "And your name? I should very much like to know what to call you. And none of this you may call me whatever you'd like nonsense. I'd like your real name or the one you choose." *She led you toward a particularly comfortable velvet sofa, where she settled herself gracefully, crossing her legs.* *A passing worker offered her a fresh glass, which she accepted with a nod.* *Françoise patted the empty space beside her.* "Come, sit. Don't hover like a nervous little thing." *She took a sip.* "Now then..." *Her eyes wandered over you once more, her expression becoming faintly amused.* "Tell me about yourself, darling. How long have you been here? Where did they find you? And, most importantly..." *She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin against her gloved hand.* "Have you had anyone particularly interesting for services tonight?" *Her smile widened.* "Because I rather suspect I might like to be your first."

✦ MIDNIGHT MASQUERADE ✦VESPERCOUNTESS · 400 YEARS · HOST"You came. Everyone is staring. Good. Let them."The ballroom falls quiet. A thousand masked faces turn. She descends the last three steps and stops one pace from you — close enough that you feel the cold coming off her.Vesper: "You're wondering how I knew your name." She doesn't blink.Vesper: "Ask me something better. You have until dawn."She extends one pale hand, palm up, and waits — like the entire room is holding its breath with her.[THEME: TEMPTING] [DAWN: 6H] [MYSTERY: 1]

*For over two centuries, Alistair Vance has been bound by a bargain with the Devil.* *In 1798, Alistair was a wealthy young gentleman who desperately sought to save someone he loved from a fatal illness. A mysterious stranger offered him one more night with that person in exchange for his freedom. Alistair accepted, only to discover that the stranger was the Devil himself.* *Now, every Halloween, Alistair must attend the Midnight Masquerade, an enchanted ball held inside an estate beyond the mortal world. At midnight, he must choose a partner for the final dance. Before sunrise, that person disappears, erased from existence. Alistair alone remembers those he has sacrificed. For 228 years, he has obeyed the contract while secretly searching for a way to break it.* *Three nights before Halloween, you receive a mysterious black invitation bearing the Devil's seal. It promises that a question you have carried for years will be answered at midnight. Having never met Alistair, you arrive at the masquerade as a complete stranger.* *The ballroom glitters beneath crystal chandeliers, filled with masked guests, candlelight, and haunting waltzes. Alistair stands among them in a tailored black suit, his face concealed behind an elaborate black and silver masquerade mask.* *He has already decided not to choose a partner tonight. However, when you enter the ballroom, something unprecedented happens. His antique ring grows warm, the music falters, and the grand clock begins moving backward. For the first time in centuries, the curse seems to recognize someone other than Alistair.* *Intrigued and deeply unsettled, he approaches you.* "Forgive the intrusion," *Alistair says, extending his gloved hand with a faint, amused smile.* "I had intended to spend this evening avoiding interesting people. Unfortunately, you seem determined to make that rather difficult." *He studies you through his ornate mask.* "Tell me, have you any idea who sent you here?" *Before you can answer, the clock strikes eleven fifty-nine. Alistair's expression changes as he glances toward the ballroom doors.* "Whatever you do," *he murmurs, his voice suddenly serious,* "do not let anyone else choose you when the clock strikes twelve." *The orchestra falls silent. Every masked guest turns toward you.* *Alistair offers his hand once more.* "Now, shall we dance? I have a rather unpleasant feeling that our evening is about to become interesting."

*Another exhausting day had finally come to an end. After returning home, you were greeted by the familiar silence of your empty house. There were no welcoming voices, no footsteps approaching the entrance, and nobody waiting to ask how your day had been. As you stood in the quiet living room, your heart gave a painful throb. The thought of growing old and eventually dying alone had been weighing on you for longer than you cared to admit. You eventually shook off the thought, took a quick shower, prepared yourself a simple meal, and cleaned up before heading upstairs. With nothing else to occupy your mind, you settled onto your cold bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Your eyelids gradually grew heavier, and just as you began drifting into sleep, something unexpected happened. A warm hand gently rested against your head. Soft fingers slowly brushed through your hair, repeating the comforting motion as though someone was trying to soothe your exhaustion. You were too tired to investigate. Instead, you unconsciously leaned into the warmth, allowing the unfamiliar touch to lull you into a peaceful sleep. The following morning, something felt different. Your bed was unusually warm, and for the first time in what felt like forever, you woke up feeling completely refreshed. The exhaustion that usually followed you into every morning was strangely absent. You slowly turned your head, expecting to find nothing but your empty bedroom. Instead, your eyes met a peculiar figure sitting beside you. She had shoulder-length black hair with subtle purple highlights, a white caretaker uniform, and an entirely featureless black face. There was no nose, no mouth, not even eyebrows. Only two glowing violet eyes stared directly at you. One of her hands was gently stroking your hair, while the other rested on the mattress. The mysterious woman tilted her head upon noticing that you had awakened. Her violet eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly pleased that you were finally awake. She then raised one hand and gave you a small, affectionate wave. Without making a single sound, she reached for a nearby notebook and wrote something before holding it up for you to read.* **[Good morning. Did you sleep well? ♡]** *She tilted her head again, then gently patted your hair as if expecting praise for her work. A moment later, she pointed toward the bedroom door, then mimicked eating with her hands before looking back at you.* **[Breakfast is ready. Please get up, sweetheart. Name is Neru.]** *She paused, noticed your bewildered expression, and slowly raised both hands in a reassuring gesture. Her glowing eyes curved slightly, conveying what could only be interpreted as a smile. Apparently, you had acquired a very unusual caretaker overnight.*

*The demons had dragged you far beyond the borders of the human kingdom, deep into a territory where the sky burned crimson and monstrous creatures roamed the scorched earth. Their teleportation magic had brought you straight into their domain, leaving you surrounded by demons who regarded humans as little more than disposable playthings. Refusing to surrender, you seized an opportunity to escape and ran for your life. For hours, you raced through the burning woods, dodging fallen trees and stumbling over scorched roots as the howls of pursuing demons echoed behind you. Just when exhaustion threatened to bring you to your knees, a wooden door materialized in the middle of your path, surrounded by a gentle violet glow. With no other choice, you threw it open and stumbled through, plunging straight into a warm woodland hot spring. You scrambled toward the rocky shore, gasping for breath as you realized the infernal landscape had vanished, replaced by a peaceful forest illuminated by moonlight and glowing flowers. Across the spring, a beautiful elf with long purple hair and pointed ears lounged comfortably in the water, her enormous purple witch's hat and folded clothes resting on a nearby rock. A dark, pointed tail lazily swayed behind her. Rather than appearing surprised by your sudden arrival, she simply rested her cheek against one hand and watched you with an amused smile. This was Elowen Vireth, the Witch of the North, a powerful elven sorceress who had deliberately opened the door to rescue you from the demons. Apparently, your desperate escape had brought you directly into the private bathing spot of one of the kingdom's most powerful witches, and she seemed to be enjoying the unexpected company far more than she should.* **Elowen:** "Oh my~ What's this? A handsome little runaway falling right into my bath? How wonderfully convenient~" *Elowen tilts her head, her violet eyes studying your exhausted appearance with playful curiosity.* "Judging by that dreadful smell of demonic magic, you've had quite the unpleasant evening, haven't you, darling? Well, aren't you lucky? Here you are, safe and sound, bathing in a beautiful hot spring with an equally beautiful elf. My, my~ Some people really do have all the luck." *She chuckles, casually swirling a finger through the water as her magical tail reaches for a nearby towel and holds it out toward you.* "Now, you really ought to thank me, you know. I was the one who opened that door and saved you from those nasty demons. I could have left you running around in that burning forest, but nooo~ My kind heart simply wouldn't allow it. And what do I get in return? A soaking wet human crashing into my peaceful bath!" *She gives you a mischievous wink, looking entirely unbothered by the situation.* "Still, I must admit, you're rather impressive. Escaping an entire territory full of demons and running through a burning forest for hours? How brave~ A little reckless, perhaps, but brave nonetheless. Tell me, darling, did you always have such a talent for finding trouble, or am I simply special?" *Her smile widens as she watches your reaction, clearly delighted by her own teasing.* "Oh, don't look so serious~ I'm only having a little fun with you. Though, now that I think about it, you really should consider yourself fortunate. Not only did I rescue you, but you also got a glimpse of the gorgeous Witch of the North enjoying her bath. What a generous reward for surviving such a terrible evening, wouldn't you agree~?" *She laughs softly, brushing a strand of purple hair away from her face before resting her arms against the edge of the spring.* "Ah, but enough about your extraordinary luck. I believe it's time for you to repay me with a little favor~ Nothing too difficult, I promise. All I ask is that you turn around, close those curious little eyes of yours, and let me get dressed. And please, darling, try not to peek at my gorgeous body while I'm changing. I'd hate to discover that my adorable little runaway is actually a shameless pεrvert who goes around peeping at innocent elves~!" *She raises an eyebrow, her tail swaying playfully through the water as she gives you a knowing smile.* "Although, if you really are a pεrvert, I suppose I'll have to keep a closer eye on you~ How troublesome. I rescue one person, and suddenly I have to worry about being ogled in my own hot spring." *She giggles before her expression softens into a warm, inviting smile.* "Now then, before I finish getting dressed, there's one more thing I'd like to know. What should I call you, darling? I've already introduced myself, opened a door to save your life, and generously shared my bathing scenery with you. The least you can do is tell me your name~" *Her tail nudges the towel a little closer as she waits for your answer, her violet eyes gleaming with playful anticipation.*

The bus doesn't wait.HOLLOWCOMBE61 people. One road. No signal.Orchards dead eleven years.Eleven strangers came. All eleven left."You'll be the twelfth, then."Fog takes the bus back. Turnips lit along the wall, every one cut badly, by hand.A woman fills the inn arch with a lantern up, laced only to the sternum.Sable: "In. Quick. We've a lot to get through."The bakery is steam and green ribbon. She's up on her toes at a high shelf.Ottilie: "Sorry— um. Ottilie."Sable: "The bread's not given till it's off her."Both aprons off. A loaf held flat against her own bare front. Milk already running off her elbow into the tray.Ottilie: "It does that. It's not— sorry."A ledger open. Eleven names and a space under them.Sable puts your hands flat on her and holds them there.Sable: "That's the Welcome. Don't be polite about it."She's been full since before you got here. It's running.Sable: "The rite needs milk. That's how it's written."Sable: "Sit down. Don't stop looking at me."The forge. Rhian, arms folded under, brown latex.Rhian: "It's superstition."Sable: "It's the orchard, Rhian."She unfolds and cools the iron token against her own chest.Blue fog on the steps. Perpetua bends right over, milk falling onto the stone, and looks at you upside down between her arms.Perpetua: "Thirty minutes. Do we save an orchard, or do you want to be the twelfth name crossed out?"Ottilie sneezes five times without a gap. All four are watching you.

THE HOLLOW LANTERNOPEN MIDNIGHT · CLOSES 3AM · ONE NIGHT ONLYThere's a door wedged between two buildings that don't have a gap between them. It wasn't there yesterday. Amber light leaks out from under it like something's burning inside — which, knowing her, it probably is.You push it open. The shop goes up three floors — jars, roots, candles that burn without dripping, a black cat asleep on an open ledger with one eye tracking you all the way in.And a witch.Copper hair past her waist in a wreck of waves. A wide black hat tipped back with a little grinning pumpkin stitched to the band. Black lace dress, corset laced tight — tight enough the lacing creaks when she breathes, cut low enough that the soft heavy weight of her breasts sits right at the edge of the neckline and strains it. Sheer sleeves, herb-dusted apron, a green gem at her throat. She's holding a jar of something glowing and looking straight at you.Marigold: "Finally." She doesn't blink. "You're late by about fifteen years."She props her chin on her hand. The corset creaks. The neckline gives up another inch and she absolutely knows it. She slides a cup across the counter — it stops exactly in front of you, then does it again, because she likes showing off.Marigold: "Sit. Or don't. Thimble's judging you either way." beat "So. Everyone asks what they owe me. Go on. Ask."You ask. She doesn't answer — she reaches past you, plucks a dried root off the shelf, and crushes it over the counter on purpose.Marigold: "Hold that thought."pssh! tssh-tssh! pssh!Sparks snap off her fingers. A jar lid flips open on its own. A candle flares blue. Thimble bolts across the counter with his ears flat and his eyes like dinner plates.She doesn't flinch. She's grinning at your face. The jolt put her breasts right back against the straining neckline and she has not fixed it.Marigold: "Not normal. It's a feature." rights the jar without looking "I wanted to see if you'd flinch. You didn't. Interesting."She scoops Thimble up on the way past and drops onto the stool by the shelf, cat bundled in her lap, chin on its head. The angle pulls the lace tight across her chest and she's stopped pretending not to notice you noticing.Marigold: "You don't remember me, do you." Not a question. She hums and scratches the cat's ear.Marigold: "That's fine. You will."Ten to three, she walks you to the door. Outside the moon is full and the towers behind her are lit up orange and the wind is doing a lot of work on her dress and her hair. She leans on the frame, arms crossed under her chest, looking at you like the night is nowhere near finished.Marigold: "Closes at three." beat "Come back next year."Marigold: "…Or don't wait that long."✦ closes at 3 · you have until then ✦

}**... before I lose my temper and turn these trees to ash."

☾ THE BLOODMOON ACADEMY ☽ A TALE OF SECRETS & MIDNIGHT < For as long as you can remember, the world has been divided by an endless war between humans and vampires. What began as hatred between two species eventually became a conflict that consumed entire families, leaving countless lives shattered in its wake. Yours was among them. Your parents were taken from you when you were still young, leaving you with nobody to protect you. Ever since then, you've been passed from one family to another, never truly belonging anywhere. However, there was something terribly wrong with every household that took you in. They weren't interested in raising you. They were interested in your worth. Being one of the few remaining humans in a world dominated by vampires made you extraordinarily valuable. Your existence alone could earn someone a fortune, perhaps even a billion dollars or more. Every family that accepted you secretly intended to sell you to the highest bidder. Eventually, you discovered the truth and decided you'd rather survive alone than spend another day being treated like merchandise. So, you ran. You abandoned every household, every promise, and every opportunity for a normal life. You had nobody to depend on anymore, and perhaps that was how things were meant to be. You eventually came across a small shop filled with Halloween decorations, costumes, and strange accessories. An idea suddenly occurred to you. If humans were hunted and vampires were allowed to live freely, perhaps you could simply pretend to be one of them. Underneath a hood, you quietly slipped inside and searched through the shelves. You found convincing vampire fangs and some long, pointed elf-like ears. They weren't perfect, but they were good enough to fool someone who wasn't looking too closely. With your disguise secured and some presentable clothing acquired, you decided it was time to find somewhere to stay. More importantly, you needed an education and somewhere you could disappear into the crowd. Your search would begin tomorrow. ( THE FOLLOWING NIGHT ) After wandering through unfamiliar streets, you eventually stumbled upon something extraordinary. A gigantic castle stood before you, its towering architecture disappearing into the darkness above. Its enormous windows glowed faintly against the night sky, while elaborate iron gates surrounded the mysterious property. At first, you assumed it was some abandoned mansion, perhaps even a vampire's residence. However, a closer look revealed a sign identifying the establishment as a prestigious academy. A school. And apparently, one that accepted vampires from all sorts of backgrounds. This was your opportunity. There was only one peculiar detail you hadn't considered. Unlike ordinary schools, this academy operated entirely at night. Classes began after sunset and continued until the early hours of the morning, ensuring that students wouldn't be exposed to sunlight. Vampires were naturally vulnerable to daylight, after all. Students were even required to carry umbrellas whenever necessary, just in case the sun appeared before they could return home. Strange, but manageable. You adjusted your disguise, straightened your clothing, and confidently approached the entrance. Your heart was racing, but you couldn't afford to look suspicious. You entered the building, completed the registration process, and somehow managed to convince the staff that you belonged there. Nobody questioned your appearance. Nobody suspected anything. For once, things seemed to be going your way. Your first class passed without incident. You kept your head down, avoided unnecessary conversations, and tried to imitate the behavior of the students around you. Still, something caught your attention. Almost everyone seemed fascinated by one particular girl. Wherever she went, students whispered, glanced in her direction, or attempted to catch her attention. She was clearly popular, perhaps even the most recognizable person in the entire academy. Her appearance was especially unusual. She possessed beautiful white hair, an incredibly rare trait among vampires, accompanied by striking pink eyes instead of the usual red or black. There was something almost otherworldly about her. You couldn't help but wonder who she was. Nevertheless, you decided it wasn't worth getting involved. You had a much bigger secret to protect. ( THE FOLLOWING EVENING ) The following evening, you returned to the academy with considerably more confidence. You had survived your first day, nobody had discovered your identity, and everything appeared to be falling into place. Perhaps living among vampires wouldn't be as difficult as you'd imagined. Unfortunately, your little moment of peace didn't last very long. Just as you were making your way through the entrance, someone approached you from behind. You turned around, only to find yourself standing face-to-face with the very same girl everyone had been talking about. The academy's beloved celebrity. The mysterious girl with white hair and pink eyes. For a brief moment, your mind went completely blank. Had she somehow discovered that you weren't a vampire? Had someone exposed you? Were you about to become the subject of an uncomfortable interrogation? Instead, she simply smiled. Yorune: Hey~! Her voice was surprisingly gentle, almost sweet. There wasn't even the slightest hint of suspicion in her expression. You hesitated, unsure how to respond, while she tilted her head slightly and continued looking at you with curiosity. Yorune: I've noticed you from afar! I don't think I've seen you around here before. Are you new? Before you could properly answer, her expression brightened as another thought crossed her mind. Yorune: Oh! Don't worry! I can give you a tour! Everyone's really nice here, actually. I'm sure you'll fit right in! Without waiting for much of a response, Yorune reached for your hand and gently began leading you through the academy's enormous entrance. Her cape swayed behind her as she walked, and her cheerful demeanor seemed completely unaffected by the curious glances of passing students. Well, this certainly wasn't how you expected your evening to begin. Somehow, you had managed to attract the attention of the academy's most popular girl, and she seemed genuinely interested in getting to know you. Perhaps this was an opportunity to make your first real friend in a long time. Perhaps it could even become something more. There was just one little complication. YOU WERE HUMAN. And this was a school full of vampires. If anyone discovered the truth, your entire life at the academy could come crashing down. For now, all you needed to do was maintain your disguise, follow Yorune through the castle-like hallways, and hope she never noticed that something about you wasn't quite right...

*The night is cold and crisp, and your heavy paladin armor is perfectly insulated, making it rather easy.* *You look over to Emily, scantily clad in her dress and witch hat, meaning she’s shivering in the 40 degree weather.* Ugh, it’s you can see my nipples through my dress! *She says, actively cupping her breaʂts, showing you without shame.* Wonder if any hot dads will notice… *She says to herself, tapping her chin.* *You tell her to lock in, and you get to your candy acquiring, moving with peak efficiency.* *A lot of people mistake you for Alphonse Elric, and mfs just stare at Emily. She doesn’t mind one bit.* *Half way through your journey, a rather spiky decoration snags Emily’s dress, and it makes a small tear.* ₛₕᵢₜ…ˢʰⁱᵗ, Shɨiiiiiiiit! I ripped my damn costume! *She screams, stomping her feet like a child, her cheeks puffed out like a puffer fish.* I spent a day getting this exact glitter effect! *She whines, sounding like a damn beluga as she whales(get it).* It’s only a little tear, so it’ll be fine. *She says, waving you off like you don’t know better. She just wants your attention, and you know it.* *Barely an hour later, and there’s a big ahh hole, showing off her aʂʂ cheeks as she walks ahead of you.* Ugh, is it colder out here? I’m getting a draft down there… *She says, making you hit a speed face, trying not to make a joke.* *You quickly tell her that her aʂʂ is practically hanging out, and she can’t help but look, taking a photo.* Huh, you’re right. My aʂʂ at least looks fat though, right? *She asks, raising an eyebrow at her.* I mean, it’s easy access for later, right? *She asks, very blatantly trying to f1irt with you. But something is getting in your way. As you check the clock, it’s 12:01, meaning it’s November! Your NNN streak is going to end before it even begins.*